The Sanctuary

By Shelley Jenkins

Oliver is in the business of shopping for Indentured servants. His home is in Wales. His search takes him on a journey to America and the Slave trade. Will he be able to pull of getting the servants he requires? Does he have it in him to stand by and watch people being sold like cattle?

Bella is a slave during a time when bondage, abuse and beatings were normal practice on the plantation. Unfortunately, Bella is sold to Oliver along with several others.She doesn't know it yet but her life is about to change... so is Oliver's.

Can Bella learn to trust or will the remembered abuse keep her from her true freedom which is within.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shelley Jenkins
• Release date: Nov 2, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466019454

Shelley Jenkins

SHELLEY JENKINS enjoys living in Florida with her husband and two children. Her love for reading has greatly influenced her joy for writing. When she's not writing you'll find her relaxing on the beach or fishing with her family.

Book preview

The Sanctuary

Shelley Jenkins

The Sanctuary

Written By:

Shelley Jenkins

Cover Created and Designed By:

Clyde Jenkins III

Scripture quotations are taken from the Amplified version of the Bible

SMASHWORDS EDITION

The Sanctuary

Shelley Jenkins

Copyright © 2011

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold but

may be given away once after a copy has been purchased. Thank you for respecting the

author's work.

Chapter 1

Please… Bella pleaded as she clung to Master Sutton’s leg. Although Bella hated him and he had almost killed her just a week ago, she didn’t know what lay ahead with Mr. Bowne and she was frightened. I’ll do anything… She begged. Please don’t make me go! She cried as Oliver Bowne, her new owner aggressively hauled her from the only home she had ever known. She was being sold and there was nothing she could do about it. She cried as he bound her hands with the others he had purchased.

Oliver Bowne sailed from Wales, Great Britain in search of buying slaves. His journey to America was greatly satisfying as he bound his last slave and headed towards the harbor. He had a long journey ahead of him, but first he had to get them safely aboard his ship.

Oliver hated having to be hateful and aggressive with the slaves but this was how the Americans treated them and he didn’t dare mock them by showing the slaves any compassion. Oliver could only pray for forgiveness the entire trip back to the ship.

After two days of travel they finally reached the ship called the Sanctuary. Upon arrival, his crew knew to be ready to sail within the hour. What he was doing was very dangerous and if the Americans ever found out it would be his death. That was one of the reason’s he never spoke much to the slaves until they were safely out at sea.

I’m Mr. Oliver Bowne and you will call me Mr. Bowne at all times. Oliver repeatedly stated as he moved down the line of women after he asked them each their name. Since there were only four this time he had no problem remembering. Their age seemed to range from twenty to five and twenty. He felt they would do well when they reached their destination.

Oliver began loading them one at a time onto the Sanctuary. Bella had never seen anything as amazing as the ship that she was now about to board. She was frightened and excited at the same time. She huddled very close to the other women. She feared her new owner greatly. He would come and practically drag each woman aboard the ship. What was he doing with them? She wondered. She didn’t know what actually was happening and that was her greatest fear. She and only one other woman called Martha stood awaiting their turn. If she could only get the ropes off, she despaired as she continued to tug and mark her wrist with rope burns in the process.

As Oliver led the women aboard the ship, he showed them where to bathe after he handed them a clean dress and slippers. Each woman hesitantly accepted his offering. He told them that they were to stay below deck until they sailed. He then showed each of them their quarters.

Oliver had one more that waited to be brought aboard. He hurried in her direction. As he approached he remembered that this was the same woman that pleaded with her slave owner not to be sold. It broke his heart to see the way she was treated for begging. He took a hold of her bound hands and led her to the ship as aggressively as he’d done the others. She had wept the entire time unlike the others who had accepted the change as though it was only natural. This woman however, was like a frightened deer, ready to run at any moment. With her in tow he moved forward. Once aboard she glanced around and didn’t see the other women and immediately panicked.

Please… she pleaded, as she fell to her knees and sobbed.

Oliver’s hands gently grasped her forearms and pulled her to a standing position. His gentle touch surprised her and as she stood frozen in fear of what she expected to happen. Her Master was sometimes very gentle before he’d beat her. When the blows didn’t come she dared to look at him for the briefest moment and was shocked by what she saw. His expression was one she had witnessed before but it was never directed towards her. While he unbound her hands he motioned towards a private bathing area then he handed her a dress and slippers. She stared at the garment and didn’t make a move towards the area as instructed.

Miss Bella. Oliver called to her. Please do as I have asked and then I will show you to your room with the others."

Yes Sir Mr. Bowne Bella said as she hurried past him to the wash area.

For the second time Oliver noticed that Bella was somewhat different from the others. She had the same southern accent as they did but her speech was not like theirs. He had visited many plantations, therefore noticed that Bella spoke more like the owners. She was a bit proper in her speech. He thought it rather odd but dismissed it quickly. He really didn’t have time to contemplate it further.

When she emerged she looked different to Oliver. He had not really paid much attention to her features but as he did, he found her breathtaking. She had almond colored skin, hair the color of coffee and a very slim waistline. Her eyes were the bluest-grey he’d ever seen. That surely set her apart from the others as well. The others had black eyes and darker skin. He focused his thought away from her looks as he motioned for her to follow. She was the most reluctant out most of the slaves over the years he’d bought. Even though he had showed her his true gentle self she seemed to not understand he’d not hurt her. His meanness was nessecary and purely for show. It always made him sick to his stomach at having to do it.

After coming back on deck, Captain Logan Reed approached Oliver and informed him that they were pulling anchor. Oliver was pleased to hear it. He was always ready to leave from this port.

Oliver went back below deck to make sure the women were completely settled in. He had to give them their final garments of clothing that they would need when they arrived in Wales. When he knocked on the door there was no answer, not even a sound was made. He cracked the door to look inside and found them looking wide eyed as he stepped inside. He summoned the women to come forward to receive the items

When someone knocks on the door, please answer it. Oliver stated. He understood that this was all new for them. He’d made this type of trip three times and was accustomed to their ignorance, but it never failed to trouble him on how broken the slaves were.

The next important item on Oliver’s agenda was to speak to them each, again sepereately, to determine which household he would place them in when they arrived in Wales.

Hannah appeared to be the oldest. She was approximately twenty and five.As he spoke to her she revealed that she was the primary cook for her plantation owner. He noted that she was also somewhat friendly.

Helen was next. She was two and twenty. He discovered, with a bit of patience, that she was her plantation owner’s wet nurse after her own baby died after giving birth. She had plenty experience raising children and would be a great nanny, he thought.

Martha was the most talkative of the group. She was twenty. She answered his questions and also elaborated which showed that her owner allowed her to express herself when it came to cleaning because she had a ton of ideas and suggestion on the subject. He noted that she would be a great house-keeper.

Lastly he spoke with Bella. Each question was answered softly almost wispered. She was also twenty and the shyest of the group. She never lifted her head. Her eyes were always focused on her lap no matter the question. He had not being able to determine much about Bella, which was a little frustrating. He needed to know more to be able to place her in the best position. He knew he would have to make it a point of talking to her more. This would get her accustomed to speaking normal as the others

Reviews for The Sanctuary

[lemurkat · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A solid novel - the storyline well-paced, the tension building nicely, the characters well developed and interesting. Filled with a few chills and surprises to keep me turning those digital pages.